IWG eyes more sites as flexible working grows
THE head of a co-working office provider said the business was eyeing further expansion in Birmingham as entrepreneurs and corporations look for more flexible working.
Richard Morris, UK chief executive of IWG, told the Post the company was looking at some of the city’s many new office projects including 103 Colmore Row and Paradise as potential sites to launch new facilities.
Listed firm IWG operates flexible office and commercial space under brands such as No18, Basepoint, Regus and Spaces at addresses across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands region.
Mr Morris said: “City centre wise we have five locations right now but we’ll keep an eye on where we can add to that.
“There are some big developments such as Paradise and 103 Colmore Row. We are in discussions on all of these to bring something more to the city.
“We have a brand called No18 which is a slightly different offering, more boutique and high end. One of those new buildings could be a good home for a No18 facility.”
The company currently operates Spaces facilities at two sites in Birmingham city centre – The Lewis Building, in Bull Street, and Crossway, in Great Charles Street Queensway.
It also operates Regus facilities in those buildings and several other locations across the city centre and wider Birmingham area while its Basepoint facility in Bromsgrove has a mix of office and light industrial.
Mr Morris said IWG was always on the hunt for new sites as it was felt Birmingham and the wider West Midlands was a key market for flexible working.
He added: “We continue looking at both inner and outer Birmingham and already have a reasonable presence at places like the airport and NEC and also have a focus on other suburbs of Birmingham. We have options in places like Sutton Coldfield and Solihull.”
Spaces’ next free business breakfast is called ‘The Co-working advantage: driving creativity through collaboration’ at The Lewis Building from 8.30am to 10.30am on November 19. Register via www.eventbrite.com/e/co-workingadvantage-driving-creativity-throughcollaboration-tickets-79510208173